Help Please With Ottos

[pat3612]

I have an otto in my tank my hubby brought a new one home just a baby about 1 in. its swimming around the tank crazy like chasing the other one everywhere then the other one starts chasing it, is this normal behavior, are they just happy, just a little worried because never seen my big otto swim around that much. All my water stats are good. Thanks Pat.

 

[rdd1952]

Probably just playing. Otos aren't aggressive at all and prefer to be in groups. They're probably just happy to see each other. They should be fine.

 

[AlexAndCarmen]

Hi pat3612

Having bred these little guys and seeing their behaviour I'd agree, and say they're just playing. They can be a bit skitty and dart around looking for cover, but the youngsters do tend to chase each other and the older otto's around. It doesn't last for long, so enjoy seeing him/her out and about. The older they are, the more elusive they become.

Could also be that you now have one of each sex. The males tend to chase the females round like cories do when they want to spawn. Males are a bit smaller than the females and when the females are full of eggs, the boys chase them around in hope of spawning. If you want to see the difference in appearance of the two, just click on my link below for our otto spawning diary. There are plenty pics of adults and fry in there.